In a major announcement that has electrified the wrestling and gaming communities, CM Punk has been confirmed as the new cover star for the highly anticipated video game, WWE 2K26. The reveal was made on Friday, 30 January 2026, positioning the former WrestleMania main eventer and UFC fighter as the face of the standard edition, which is scheduled to hit shelves on 13 March.
CM Punk Takes Centre Stage for WWE 2K26
The 47-year-old WWE world heavyweight champion, currently enjoying a triumphant second stint with the company after a controversial departure in 2014, will grace the cover of this latest instalment in the popular franchise. Developed by Visual Concepts, WWE 2K26 boasts a record-breaking roster of 400 playable characters, including legends like John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Andre the Giant, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, offering fans an unprecedented level of choice and immersion.
Punk Reflects on Gaming Culture and His Role
CM Punk expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting the pervasive presence of video games in modern locker rooms. "There is a video game console set up in every single locker room I walk into now," he remarked. "I'm one of those old guys that looks at that and I'm like, this is crazy. This would never happen back in my day. But I also don't care. I'd much rather have them hooting and hollering and playing Xbox than smoking crack or doing drugs or something wild. They play a lot of Madden, they play a lot of 2K and they play a lot of Tekken."
His return to WWE in 2023, following two UFC fights, has been marked by significant milestones, including a triple threat main event at WrestleMania against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. Punk also headlines the game's 2K Showcase mode, which explores pivotal matches and hypothetical scenarios, such as what might have transpired if he had not left the organisation in 2014. "It not only highlights some of my better matches and moments, there's a big 'what if?' aspect to it," Punk explained. "We delve into kind of what would have happened if I didn't leave in 2014. I think that's super interesting."
Special Editions and Pricing Details
WWE 2K26 will be available in multiple editions, catering to diverse fan interests:
- King of Kings Edition: Focused on the career of WWE Hall of Famer and current chief content officer, Paul "Triple H" Levesque.
- Attitude Era Edition: Celebrates wrestlers from one of wrestling's most popular periods, featuring stars like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
- Monday Night War Edition: Also highlights iconic figures from that era, including "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan.
These special editions are set for release on 6 March, a week before the standard version. Pricing ranges from $69.99 for the Standard Edition to $149.99 for the Monday Night War Edition, offering various tiers for collectors and enthusiasts.
Punk's Personal Gaming Preferences
Despite his prominent role on the cover, CM Punk revealed that he might not choose himself as a playable character when gaming. "If I was going to play 2K, I'd probably try to be Terry Funk," he admitted. "I know what it's like to play as me. I don't need to do it in a video game." This candid insight adds a personal touch to the announcement, highlighting his deep connection to wrestling history.
Reflecting on his previous cover appearance for WWE '13, Punk praised its legacy, calling it "widely recognized as the absolute coldest, hardest, video game cover of all time." With WWE 2K26, he aims to build on that legacy, bringing his unique charisma and storied career to a new generation of fans and gamers alike.
